Patched up Australia look to shake off rust ahead of Champions Trophy
This is an interesting series because as much as it is a warm-up for the ICC Champions Trophy for Australia, it is nothing of the sort for Sri Lanka – they haven’t qualified to participate in the event. Despite this, Sri Lanka have not looked to use the two-match series as an opportunity to blood new players. They have named the same squad that did duty in New Zealand at the start of the year – with only allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe sitting out.
In total there have been 151 ODIs played at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, a venue that is traditionally quite low scoring. The par first innings score for the venue is a modest 240 – although the highest ever score at the venue was 375 for five, made by India against Sri Lanka in 2017.
The venue suits quicks and spinners equally with each form of bowling averaging at between 31 and 32 per wicket.
Interestingly Sri Lanka come into the game with marginally better ODI form than Australia. Each side have won six of their last ten ODI’s, but where Australia have lost four, Sri Lanka have lost just three.
An interesting fact about the game is that it is Australia’s first two-match bilateral series since a 2-0 loss to England all the way back in 1980.
Sri Lanka v Australia | 1st ODI | Wednesday 12 February 2025 | Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 06:30am
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka is Sri Lanka’s top ranked ODI batsman at 10 on the ICC list. But he closely followed by Charith Asalanka who is at 18th on the list.
Keep a look out for Kusal Mendis who comes into the series in good form after Test knocks of 85 and 50 not out. It’s a different format, but form doesn’t distinguish between white and red ball cricket. Kamindu Mendis meanwhile didn’t fore in the Tests, but he has the potential to be dangerous. His ODI average is much lower than his Test average (62 versus 31), but he has only played 17 ODI’s so a couple of solid knocks could change things for him.
Perhaps it is just an indication of how much ODI cricket they have played in recent times, or maybe it is a real reflection on his ability, but Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana is the third ranked ODI bowler in the world at the moment. He is behind only Rashid Kahn and Kuldeep Yadav in the rankings. With 72 wickets from 50 ODI’s at an average of 26.23, expect him to feature prominently.
Keep a look out for allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga who has a highest ODI score of 80* and a bowling average of 25.51. He is Sri Lanka’s second ranked ODI bowler, and he has game-changing ability with both the bat and ball. He comes into the game just five wickets shy of 100 wickets in ODIs.
Australia
The initial squad that Australia named for the series has changed somewhat since it was originally announced. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh will all be absent due to injuries while Marcus Stoinis is not there having announced his ODI retirement. Added to the squad in their absence are Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha.
With Mitchell Starc as their only experienced quick, Australia will need to be very careful that he doesn’t breakdown before the Champions Trophy. He looks set to be rested after looking a little ginger towards the end of the final Test.
Expect spinners Tanveer Sangha and Cooper Connolly to get runs as well as Australia look to give themselves plenty of options with the ball.
Travis Head, Australia’s top ranked ODI batsman, is likely to open the batting, but who will walk out to the middle with him is unclear. It’s likely to be either Matt Short or Fraser-McGurk.
Steve Smith was in imperious form in the Test series, with centuries in each game. For the most part he looked quite untroubled at the crease, and he will want to build on his red-ball form in the ODI series.
Meanwhile Marnus Labuschagne struggled for runs in the Tests. He is still Australia’s third highest ranked ODI batsman, but he will want to get the runs flowing before jetting off to Pakistan and the Champions Trophy.
Verdict: Sri Lanka
No country has played more ODI cricket than Sri Lanka since the last World Cup and they have been in good form while doing it. Unlike Australia they have no major injuries, and they don’t have eyes on Champions Trophy. With home ground advantage thrown into the mix they should take this.
